Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-11-15
THE THOMAS CONCERTS.

The Opening OF the Fourth Season of
the New Haven Concert Association
-StXty.Ffve Performers Under tine
Direction of Theodore Thomas TO
Interpret strictly Classical Music.
The directors of the New Haven Concert
association announce that they feel justified
in assuring our lovers of music that the con-
certs which are to be given under their aus
pices this season will be of higher order OF
excellence than any hitherto given in this
city. Mr.. Theodore Thomas will come here
not only with larger number of players
than ever before, but also under the most
favorable conditions for producing the high
est artistic results. The orchestra, which
numbers sixty-fve musicians, will have the
great advantage of devoting all it's time and
energy to concert work, New Haven being
included in the small circuit of cities within
easy travelling distance from New York city
which Mr.. Thomas will visit this season. In
addition to the orchestra distinguished vocal
and instrumental soloists will appear at each
concert, the one chosen for the first evening
being Miss Adele Aus der Ohe. The appear
ance of this celebrated pianiste was one of
the most enjoyable features of the Boston
Symphony orchestra concerts.
The programme for the first concert, which
will be given at the Hyperion Theater next
Monday evening, contains two of Wagner's
shorter orchestral works, Beethoven's fifth
symphony, serenade by Volkmann and one
of LISTS Hungarian rhapsodies. Miss Aus
der Ohe will perform Schumann's concerts
for the piano A few facts concerning these
selections may be of interest to those who
are intending to hear the concert:
Richard Wagner wrote ''Eine Faust Ouver
ture" while living in obscure lodgings in
Paris, and while the great composer, whose
art in after years won for him fame and for
tune, was actually suffering from cold and
hunger. The score of this superb compost
ton was finished on February A, 1910. It is
the first work that has the true stamp of
Wagner, and was conceived after q rehearsal
of Beethovens ninth symphony at the con-
servatoire. It may be regarded as piece of
autobiography written in music. AS originally
planned it was to be the first movement
of "Faust Symphony" but after
its trial performance at Dresden in July,
1914, it was laid away and apparently forgot
ten. In 1856 revised version was published
bearing on it's title page couplet from
Goethe's "Faust." 1t is masterpiece of in
strumentation. Musicians may detect in it
the influence of Beethoven by the concise
power of the themes and the directness with
which they are set forth, yet the work is
Wagner's from beginning to end.
The "Huldigung's Marsch" is a much later
work by Wagner, having been written in
1854 and first published as late as 1869. 1t
was written under circumstances in striking
contrast with those which surrounded the au-
thor when he wrote the Faust overture. Wagner
had passed his fftieth year, had bsen natur-
allied as Bavarian citizen and had just re-
ceived the news that King Ludwig had al
lowed an annual stipend of 1900 gulden
about $500 when he wrote this piece. 1t
was evidently intended to express great joy,
as it was written not for the orchestra but
for full military band The original score
has never been published, but the orchestral
score begun by Wagner and finished by Raft
will be the one used Monday evening.
In his concerto for the piano Robert Schu-
mann has left an imperishable trace of his
genius. 1t is one of his most beautiful and
mature works. In addition to its peculiar
originality it has the brilliancy and power
which NO concerto should lack. Although
the work is now complete in its form it was
not SO when first written. The first move
ment was intended as a fantasia and it was
not until two years after its first
production that the second and third move
ments were added. Frederick Robert Volk-
mann, better known as a composer for the
piano. is we believe now living at Pesth,
Hungary. He wrote two serenades for string
ed instruments, the second of which is the
fifth selection of the programme. This
piece is strongly marked by the Hungarian
characteristics noted in other works by the
same composer and is fitting introduction
to LISTS "Hungarian Rhapsody, No. A."
which concludes the concert. This latter
work is well known in its piano score and is
one of the four or five Hungarian rhapsodies
which its author took the pains to write for
the orchestra.
Taken altogether the selections to be per
formed will attract all true musicians, and a
large audience is assured the first musical
event of the season.
FlfteeR-Ball Pool Contests.
The lovers of ffteen-bal1 pool in this city
will soon have a chance to witness a number
of well known players in a number of well
contested games, the players are very
evenly matched. The first of these contests
will occur this Tuesday evening between Mr..
G. L. CLARK, of this city, and DIR. Frank
WEIGH of Boston, Mass, for $50 side, to be
played at J. P. Baldwin's place, 450 State
street C'Welcome'D. Much interest centers
in the event. Some of the players belong
here others come from out of town.